Best Marksman Rifles in MW3 [TOP 4]

Take my top MW3 Marksman Rifles along with class setup to dominate your opponents on the battlefield.

If you’re a sniper lover but looking for a lightweight and versatile option, then a good Marksman Rifle is the best option for you in MW3. The semi-auto mode in these weapons gives the hybrid performance of a bolt action rifle and an automatic AR. If you like to use Marksman Rifles on the battlefield, then you must know about the best options to opt for.

Helpful Reads:

Key Takeaways
  • MW3 features 12 Marksman Rifles and launches with more to come along with upcoming updates.
  • Each rifle offers different perks, and selecting the best one depends on the player’s choice and playstyle. 
  • If players focus on mobility and recoil control, then they have to compromise on damage.
  • If players want to have a damage-focused loadout, then challenges like heavy recoil and weapon stability will come along the way.
  • The advantage of using a Marksman Rifle is that you can easily cover mid-long range combats without carrying a heavy bolt-action Sniper Rifle.
  • The con of equipping Marksman as your primary is that you might get overpowered by deadly ARs and SMGs in extreme close-range interactions.

MW3 Best Marksman Rifles

The following table enlists the best Marksman Rifles that you can choose in Modern Warfare 3:

Weapon NameAttachmentsPerks Equipment
MTZ Interceptor- Muzzle: XRK Kraken
- Barrel: MTZ Clinch Pro Barrel 
- Optic: KR V4 1x Riser
- Magazine: 20 Round Mag
- Rear Grip: Bruen Tr-24 Assault Grip
 Overkill Vest, Covert Sneakers, Commando Gloves, and Bone Conduction HelmetScatter Mine and Frag Grenade
MCW 6.8- Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
-Barrel: Second Line Mammoth Heavy Barrel
- Magazine: 30 Round Mag 
- Rear Grip: RB Rapidstrike Grip
- Underbarrel: FTAC SP-10 Angled Grip.
Infantry Vest, Marksman Gloves, Covert Sneakers, and EOD PaddingFrag Grenade and Stun Grenade
KVD Enforcer- Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor
- Optic: Mk. 23 Reflector
- Underbarrel: Ftac Msp-98 Handstop
- Magazine: 20 Round Mag
- Rear Grip: Demo Tl20 Recoil Grip
Infantry Vest, Commando Gloves, Covert Sneakers, and Bone Conduction HelmetFrag Grenade and Battle Rage.
DM56- Barrel: Prime Lord Heavy Barrel
- Optic: Mk. 23 Reflector
- Stock: Holger Recoil Pad
- Underbarrel: Xten Phantom-5 Handstop
- Comb: Farseer Cheek Riser
 Infantry Vest, Commando Gloves, Covert Sneakers, and Threat Identification SystemSmoke Grenade and Frag Grenade

4. MTZ Interceptor

Best Well-Balanced Marksman Rifle.
MW3 Best Marks man Rifles
MTZ Interceptor [Image taken by me]
  • Why I Chose This: Strong all-rounder and especially helpful against SMGs and Rocket Launchers.

MTZ is a versatile Marksman Rifle that you can use in vast maps of MW3. The weapon gives decent damage and control, making it a good fit in the current meta. MTZ is a semi-automatic weapon, which means you can take follow-up shots and annihilate your opponents until they give up.

If you want to use the weapon at long range, you can go prone to counter its recoil and keep it stable. The semi-auto mode may mess up your aim, so make sure to fire your rounds with a pause. The 7.62 ammo deals lethal damage and keeps the opponents on their toes. To make the weapon even more deadly, I would recommend the following attachments.

  • Muzzle: XRK Kraken
  • Barrel: MTZ Clinch Pro Barrel 
  • Optic: KR V4 1x Riser
  • Magazine: 20 Round Mag
  • Rear Grip: Bruen Tr-24 Assault Grip

For the class setup, I recommend the following: 

  • Perks: Overkill Vest, Covert Sneakers, Commando Gloves, and Bone Conduction Helmet
  • Equipment: Scatter Mine and Frag Grenade
  • Provides a good Firing Rate
  • Manageable Handling and Control
  • Shoots Semi-Automatic rounds
  • Semi-automatic rounds reduce accuracy at long distance
  • Comparatively less range

3. MCW 6.8

The Best damage-dealing Marksman Rifle.
MCW 6.8
MCW 6.8 [Image captured by me]
  • Why I Chose This: Top option for quick kills and against low-HP enemies.

If you’re looking for a high damage-dealing weapon in Modern Warfare 3, then I would suggest the MCW 6.8 for you. It is a reliable weapon that performs well in mid and long-range engagements, and if you’re good at controlling recoil, you can use it at close range as well. 

Each shot of MCW gives a massive blow and deals fierce damage to the enemy. I would recommend this weapon if you want to focus on damage, as it might create some challenges in terms of recoil and stability. 

For MCW, you can use the following loadout. 

  • Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
  • Barrel: Second Line Mammoth Heavy Barrel
  • Magazine: 30 Round Mag 
  • Rear Grip: RB Rapidstrike Grip
  • Underbarrel: FTAC SP-10 Angled Grip.

The following makes the best class setup for MCW:

  • Perks: Infantry Vest, Marksman Gloves, Covert Sneakers, and EOD Padding
  • Equipment: Frag Grenade and Stun Grenade
  • Lethal base damage
  • Good range and accuracy
  • Can perform well in close-mid range combats as well
  • Firing Rate and DPS
  • Reduces mobility
  • Comparatively challenging at handling
  • Difficulty in recoil control

2. KVD Enforcer

The Best Handling Stat Marksman Rifle.
MW3 Best Marksman Rifles
KVD Enforcer [Image taken by me]
  • Why I Chose This: Exceptional handling and great across all ranges.

If you want a lighter option that gives you better mobility, then KVD is an optimal choice. Although the weapon does not offer the highest firing rate, it is lighter in weight and has significantly better handling.

The weapon is suitable for aggressive players who like to use marksman rifles in mind as well as close range. When paired with the right attachments, it truly becomes a lethal weapon in Modern Warfare 3. 

With KVD Enforcer, I recommend the following attachments:

  • Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor
  • Optic: Mk. 23 Reflector
  • Underbarrel: Ftac Msp-98 Handstop
  • Magazine: 20 Round Mag
  • Rear Grip: Demo Tl20 Recoil Grip

The following class setup goes well with Enforcer:

  • Perks: Infantry Vest, Commando Gloves, Covert Sneakers, and Bone Conduction Helmet
  • Equipment: Frag Grenade and Battle Rage.
  • Best at Handling and Recoil Control
  • It could be used at close range due to its damage and handling
  • Provides reliable accuracy
  • The firing Rate is not very impressive
  • Limited Range

1. DM56

Best Overall Marksman Rifle in MW3.
MW3 Best Marksman Rifles
DM56 [Screenshot captured by me]
  • Why I Chose This: Easily the most reliable and versatile Marksman Rifle in Modern Warfare 3.

Lastly, I would like to mention the DM56, which is an all-rounder in terms of weapon damage, recoil control, and stability. The reason for the wide use of the Marksman rifle is its handling and recoil control, which makes it a great fit in the meta. It also features a decent firing rate and damage.

You can equip it with a zoomed scope to use at long range, and the weapon will not disappoint you. To make the weapon an absolute killing machine, I use the following attachments with it. 

  • Barrel: Prime Lord Heavy Barrel
  • Optic: Mk. 23 Reflector
  • Stock: Holger Recoil Pad
  • Underbarrel: Xten Phantom-5 Handstop
  • Comb: Farseer Cheek Riser

For class setup, you can go with the following gear: 

  • Perks: Infantry Vest, Commando Gloves, Covert Sneakers, and Threat Identification System
  • Equipment: Smoke Grenade and Frag Grenade
  • Reliable base Damage
  • Versatility in terms of range and distance
  • Impressive accuracy 
  • Good at Handling
  • Comparatively less Firing Rate

Why I Didn’t Go For Others

While my top 4 list focuses on the best Marksman Rifles, there are other good options to consider, but I opted not to include them for specific reasons.

  • SA-B 50: It is a solid alternative but it has poor accuracy and recoil control.
  • EBR-14: It has a good fire rate but it’s not suitable for mid-range battles.
  • TAQ-M: Boosts impressive power but it has a low bullet count per magazine and subpar speed.
  • SP-R-208: It is a go-to option but it has a lower fire rate and magazine capacity. 

My Opinion On The Best Marksman Rifle

My Steam Profile
My Steam Profile

After using various Marksman rifles and testing them out for more than 40 hours on the battlefield, the DM56 worked best for me. It offers a decent firing rate, which makes it a good damage-dealing weapon. The most prominent feature that I like about this weapon is its stability and recoil control. Despite being a Marksman rifle, I can use it easily and shoot continuous sprays while keeping the weapon in control. 

Now, before taking your favorite Marksman Rifle on the battlefield, I would suggest you have a look at Ayyon’s guide on COD Modern Warfare 3 crashing guide to encounter any kind of technical issues while playing MW3. Also, I recommend going through the best PC settings for Modern Warfare 3 to get high FPS and better optimization. 

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Huzaifa Malik is a Guides Writer on eXputer who’s been playing FPS games like Call of Duty for as long as he can recall. He is one of the most seasoned COD players on eXputer. He has several years of experience writing for games. By following his passion for games, he chose eXputer as his hub to deliver information-rich articles. Feel free to get more familiar with Huzaifa on his gaming profiles on Steam.

Experience: 3+ years || Education: Bachelor in Architectural Engineering.

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